Las Vegas Sun

April 18, 2024

Texas Panhandle wildfire destroys about 75 homes

Texas Panhandle Wildfire

Texas Department of Public Safety, Chris Ray / AP

In this Sunday, May 11, 2014 photo provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a wildfire burns near Fritch, Texas. The wildfire has led to evacuations and road closures and has destroyed dozens of homes.

FRITCH, Texas — Emergency officials say about 75 homes are destroyed and hundreds of people have evacuated the area after a wildfire burned up to 2 square miles in the Texas Panhandle.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said in an email late Sunday that no one has been hurt in the fire near Fritch, some 30 miles northeast of Amarillo.

Fritch Police Chief Monte Leggett says 75 percent of the fire has been contained as of Monday morning.

Hutchinson County emergency management coordinator Danny Richards says about 75 homes are destroyed and hundreds of the town's 2,100 residents have left the area. Some stayed at a school gymnasium.

The National Weather Service says winds were gusting up to 30 mph in the area early Monday with temperatures in the 40s.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy